Mix It Up Lunch day encourages respect, understanding

GLENMOORE — Students at Springton Manor Elementary School will join more than 2 million others across the nation today as part of the 11th annual Mix It Up at Lunch Day.

The Mix It Up initiative encourages students to sit with someone new in the cafeteria for just one day, in an effort to cross social and racial boundaries, and to foster respect and understanding in schools. Many schools are planning similar activities throughout the day, with some using the event to kick off a year-long exploration of social divisions.

More than 5,000 schools are expected to participate in this year’s Mix It Up event, which is sponsored by the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance project.

Springton Manor Elementary has participated in the Mix It Up initiative for five consecutive years, ever since the school opened.

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“Students and teachers prepare for Mix It Up at Lunch Day with morning announcements starting a week in advance and optional activities that are distributed to teachers to use in the classrooms,” said Kathleen Benson, school counselor. “Students look forward to participating in (this event) at least twice each year.”

According to Benson, the school’s guidance interns, Lisa Truhan and Ashley Marcy, helped to organize the event by preparing the theme, skits and decorations.

During the day, students will switch seats at lunch according to the ticket they receive when entering the cafeteria. Familiar songs, with a friendship theme, will be playing throughout the event, and during the lunch fifth-graders will perform skits about bullying and bystander behavior.

Parents and student council members also help out with the event.

“This helps students to break out of their comfort zone of sitting with the same friends each day and encourages them to meet someone new,” said Benson. “Additionally, the students will have the opportunity to mingle with new friends during some recess team-building activities. It also serves to improve our school climate of being friendly to everyone at school.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center launched Teaching Tolerance in 1991 to provide educators with free resources designed to reduce prejudice and promote respect for differences among the nation’s children. The Mix It Up at Lunch program began in 2002, with Benson participating in the program each year since its inception.

About the Author

Sara Mosqueda-Fernandez os the Daily Local News' reporter that covers all things Downingtown and its local school district. A transplant to Chester County, she also keeps an eye on environmental issues in the area. Reach the author at smfernandez@dailylocal.com
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